Laser Blepharoplasty is a safer and more effective alternative to traditional Blepharoplasty surgery. This procedure promotes skin tightening from the inside, a major advantage as compared to external skin tightening. It offers many other advantages over traditional eyelid surgery including less risk, faster healing, and no O.R. anesthesia. The goal of laser blepharoplasty is to provide “Smart Eyes” a fresh appearance by reducing or even eliminating saggy, puffy lower eyelid “bags”. The removal of such an unpleasant feature reduces the evidence of fatigue and age.
Due to the advanced technology used and the fast nature of laser blepharoplasty, the procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis. This is especially beneficial to patients, as it cuts down on the cost of the surgery and allows for an immediate release.
Before & After Laser Blepharoplasty
Is Laser Blepharoplasty Safety?
The periorbital region, otherwise called the eyelids, is a common area of focus during facial reconstructive surgery intended to improve the aesthetic appeal of the patient. One of the more common patient complaints is drooping eyelids and/or bags under the eyes, which can be improved in some cases by removing fatty tissue beneath the skin. This technique is called blepharoplasty and has proven to be both safe and effective when performed by experienced surgeons using current laser technology.
A variety of lasers are used for blepharoplasty and the more common are CO2 and erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers. The CO2 laser is desirable because it can cut tissue and seal blood vessels at the same time, making it the laser of choice for surgeons performing lower lid blepharoplasty. The erbium laser, as well as the CO2 laser, is effective when performing cutaneous resurfacing to treat sun damaged skin, acne scars, and other imperfections. Even though these lasers have an excellent safety record, as with any invasive surgical instrument a risk of complications still exists.
Some of the complications include: the formation of a photosensitive, red rash, skin pigmentation could become darker or lighter, or excessive scarring could result. The more serious complications include severe burns, the lower lid turning outward, damage to the cornea, or ocular perforations. These types of injuries typically result from ablative laser procedures, which are what the CO2 and erbium lasers are used for. Non-ablative laser treatments are less likely to cause these types of complications, but non-ablative procedures are currently insufficient to produce satisfactory laser blepharoplasty results in most cases.
To minimize the risk of complications due to laser eyelid surgery, patients are first screened to ensure the procedure would be appropriate and the risk of complications low. An in depth patient history is a big part of this process. Less invasive and risky treatments may be tried before resorting to laser blepharoplasty. If the less invasive treatments fail, then a conservative approach is used when performing laser eyelid surgery. The proper training of the surgeon is of course of primary importance.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Eyelid Surgery
Good candidates for laser eyelid surgery are those who want to improve or freshen the look of their eyes. People who have bags and puffiness under their eyes or droopy upper eyelids are also good candidates for laser eyelid surgery. An important benefit of using the laser during eyelid surgery is that there is minimal bleeding during the procedure because the laser seals up tiny blood vessels. Laser eyelid surgery, or laser blepharoplasty can also help those who experience hooding of their upper eyelids. Sometimes hooding of the eyelids can be so severe as to obstruct a person’s vision.
Both men and women make good candidates for this procedure as long as they are not poor surgical risks and their post-operative expectations are realistic. In addition, the surgery can dramatically improve the look of anyone who has a “tired” look about them that is related to heavy eyelids, bags and puffiness. In addition, because of the preciseness of the laser, the effects are generally very subtle, and patients generally do not have an unnatural look to their eyes after surgery.
Laser blepharoplasty is often performed in an outpatient setting or at a “surgi-center,” and the patient is typically given a local anesthetic prior to the procedure. Also, the procedure usually takes approximately thirty to forty-five minutes and then the patient moves on to the recovery room until he or she is stable enough to go home. Post-operative swelling and bruising are generally minimal and patients can generally can go back to work after three days after a lower laser blepharoplasty and after upper eyelid surgery, patients can usually go back to work within seven days of the procedure.
For the patient who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery, the procedure and recovery time is generally uneventful. In addition, the patient generally does not have too many restrictions, however, they should be instructed to not bend over and not not lift any heavy objects until they receive clearance from their physician. In addition, any excessive pain, bleeding, swelling or loss of vision should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible.
Laser Blepharoplasty Recovery
Laser blepharoplasty recovery is, thanks to the miracle of modern medical technology, an extremely fast and painless process. If you’re looking at having eyelid reconstruction surgery due to sagging skin, puffy eyelids, or bags under your eyes, then laser blepharoplasty is the answer for you. Laser eyelid surgery – as opposed to the relatively archaic regular eyelid surgery – is now usually a quick, outpatient procedure that will take years off of your eyes in the morning, and have you out of the doctor’s office that afternoon.
Laser eyelid surgeries routinely take about one to three hours to perform, depending on the extent of the procedure, and are quite remarkable in rendering a completely new, youthful appearance. Some of the before and after pictures are simply astonishing.
How It Works
First, tiny, accurate incisions are made in baggy eye areas where sagging skin accumulates and wrinkles up. A huge advantage of laser vs. normal blepharoplasty is the the laser scalpel cauterizes as it cuts away and removes excess fat, muscle, skin, and tissue deposits. Once all these areas are removed, the incisions are sutured up, and the patient is sent into a recovery room with some comfy easy chairs, where patients are given cold compresses to keep swelling down.
Initial recovery time is, on average, several hours. Some patients’ bodies may react differently, and there may be more swelling involved. This is okay, and normal, and quite manageable with pain meds and anti-inflammatory medication, if need be. There is generally very little or no scarring with laser eye surgery.
Longer Term Recovery Time
In the weeks following the surgery, it is imperative that you refrain from doing anything to strain the eyes, such as reading, working on the computer, wearing contact lenses, in addition to anything that may strain the face. Wearing dark sunglasses for at least the first week when going outside is required. Try not to do any bending, lifting, exercising, or even crying, if possible, as well.
In the second week following the procedure, a follow-up visit to the doctor will allow you to get stitches removed. For the next week, plenty of naps and minimal physical activity to reduce eye strain are recommended. After 7 days, most in laser blepharoplasty recovery can return to work and normal life.